John 13:6 - Exposition

It cannot be determined with whom our Lord commenced the feet-washing. Some of the older expositors have said it was with Judas. The οὖν might denote that several of the disciples, in awestruck wonder, had submitted without a word, and then ( οὖν resumptive) he cometh to Simon Peter. But the great bulk of ancient and modern expositors suppose that Peter was the first to whom this great grace was offered. At all events, in his impulsive manner always rushing forwards, and ready to give his Master advice, and to be the mouthpiece of otherwise unuttered feelings, Peter was the first to exclaim, ( and £ ) he £ saith unto him, and with strong emphasis on the σύ and the μου , Dost thou wash my feet ? The protest was natural. It corresponds with many another scene in Peter's life; as when he said, " Depart from me; for I am a sinful man," or cried, "That be far from thee," and later on in this chapter, "Why cannot I follow thee now?" or, "I have never eaten anything common or unclean." This trait in Peter's character is wonderfully accurate, and corresponds with the portraiture of the same man in the synoptic narrative. There is here an analogous blending of reverence and self-will, of outwardness and forwardness—a new illustration of one who would distinguish himself by the greatness of his humility.